Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Good News! You can make a huge difference in the lives of countless people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Beginning at 12:01am EDT on November 1, 2012 (13:01 pm JST on November 2), GlobalGiving will be matching all donations made to Mercy Corps’ Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami project.

The matching campaign ends on November 15, 2012 at 11:59pm EDT (13:59pm JST on November 16) or until funds run out! Donate now! Matching funds will go quickly! Tell your friends! Please encourage them to donate too!

Here are some quick facts you should know about the campaign:

• All donations will be matched 100% up to $1,000 per donor;
• There is a maximum of $100,000 in matching funds. Once funds have been depleted, no more donations will be matched. But donations can still be made to help the people of Japan rebuild their lives; 
• GlobalGiving will match through Nov 15, 2012 or until matching funds run out.

The continued support from donors like you allows the people of Japan to rebuild their lives with dignity and options. Mercy Corps has worked to provide life-saving basics to help people in desperate need, help children recover and heal from trauma, and continues to advance economic recovery by supporting fish markets, providing business loans, and supporting fishing associations.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: fundraising@mercycorps.org. 

Domo arigato for your support.

Links:

• Mercy Corps Website
• Photo Essay - From Ruin to Renewal in Japan

Thank you for your support. Because you have put your caring into action to Mercy Corps through GlobalGiving, we are able to make a positive impact on lives affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. To show our appreciation, we'd like to give you a Mercy Corps calendar as a thank you and daily reminder of how you are changing lives!

Because of you, Mercy Corps is able to offer several programs to local entrepreneurs of Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures including: 

• Start-up grants: grants of up to JPY 1.5 million (~$20,000) support new businesses and services in the tsunami-affected towns. 
• Re-employment grants: provides up to JPY 100,000 (~$1,250) per month per employee for one or two employees per business for a year to support the re-employment of those who were laid off by the disaster. The grant covers roughly half of the salary of the employee. These grants help cash-strapped recovering businesses to re-employ staff and quickly revive production.
• Loan Interest Subsidies: pays the interest on loans averaging JPY 10 million (~$125,000) through a two year grace period during which no principle payments are due. The program encourages existing businesses – many of which are still paying off loans for businesses that were destroyed in the tsunami – to borrow the capital necessary to re-build.
• Accessibility Grants: grants of up to JPY 1 million (~$12,500) facilitate accessibility for people with disabilities, either as entrepreneurs, customers or employees. 

We could not offer these programs without you!

To receive your free 2013 Mercy Corps wall calendar, please send an email to fundraising@mercycorps.org with your mailing address! Your address will not be used for any other purpose than mailing you this calendar.

If you are a resident of the Portland, Oregon metro area, please keep in mind that Mercy Corps has several upcoming free events that we would love for you to attend. Tuesday evening on October 30th, we have team members share their stories from the field of how positive changes are being made. Please click here for details of this and other upcoming events and exhibits. If you'd like to attend or receive a monthly email of these events, let us know! This email address will not be added to Mercy Corps' bigger email list. 

Also, if you are considering donating to Mercy Corps, we would be most grateful if you donate in early November as GlobalGiving will be matching gifts for a short time to Mercy Corps' Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami project. Details will be in the next project report.  

As the end of 2012 quickly approaches, thank you in advance for keeping Mercy Corps in mind as a donation option to change additional lives for the better!

Again, thank you!

Links:

• Mercy Corps' Work in Japan
• Mercy Corps' work around the world